Headlines

  • Keston Hiura Will Not Make Brewers’ Roster
  • Cardinals, Miles Mikolas Agree To Two-Year Extension
  • Rhys Hoskins Diagnosed With Torn ACL, Will Undergo Surgery
  • Jed Lowrie Announces Retirement
  • Jose Altuve To Miss About Two Months Due To Thumb Surgery
  • Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

White Sox Decline Options For Edwin Encarnacion, Gio Gonzalez; Exercise Leury Garcia’s Option

By Connor Byrne | October 30, 2020 at 4:05pm CDT

The White Sox have declined their club options for designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and left-hander Gio Gonzalez, per a team announcement. The club has picked up infielder/outfielder Leury Garcia’s $3.5MM option.

Retaining Encarnacion would have cost the White Sox $12MM, but they’ll move on from him without having to pay a buyout. Conversely, Gonzalez will receive a $500K buyout in lieu of the $7MM salary he could have earned next season. These are hardly surprising decisions by Chicago, as both Encarnacion and Gonzalez disappointed after joining the White Sox in free agency last offseason.

While Encarnacion is one of the most prolific sluggers in recent memory, having totaled eight straight 30-home run seasons before 2020, this year was a nightmare for him. He continued to show above-average power (10 home runs, .220 ISO), but Encarnacion limped to a .157/.250/.377 line across 181 plate appearances. Considering he brings no defensive value to the table and will turn 38 before next season, it was surely an easy call to cut the cord for the White Sox.

Like Encarnacion, Gonzalez fell well short of his career-long track record as a member of the Sox. The 35-year-old has eight seasons of 30-plus starts under his belt, but he spent most of this campaign in the bullpen. Gonzalez wound up with four starts in 12 appearances and a 4.83 ERA/5.50 FIP with 9.66 K/9 against 5.4 BB/9 over 31 2/3 innings.

The White Sox could have bought out Garcia for $250K, but they’ll instead keep the versatile 29-year-old. While Garcia had an abbreviated season because of a thumb injury, he did slash a respectable .271/.317/.441 with three homers and a 14.3 percent strikeout rate in 63 trips to the plate.

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

Chicago White Sox Newsstand Transactions Edwin Encarnacion Gio Gonzalez Leury Garcia

Latest On Phillies’ Front Office, J.T. Realmuto
Main
Roberto Osuna, Chris Devenski, Dustin Garneau, Chase De Jong Elect Free Agency
View Comments (62)

Comments

  1. baseballpun

    2 years ago

    White Sox to sign Dennis Eckersley, Mark McGwire and Jim Edmonds.

    Reply
    • stollcm

      2 years ago

      Don’t forget Dave Stewart!

      Reply
      • DirtbagBlues

        2 years ago

        Minnie Minoso.

        Reply
      • Cubs GM

        2 years ago

        TWTW

        Reply
      • GP John

        2 years ago

        Didn’t he die?

        Reply
    • kyleschwarbersmom

      2 years ago

      La Russa is licking his chops waiting for the Cubs to decline Descalso.

      Reply
    • bronyaur

      2 years ago

      LaRussa says that Julio Franco is still a little green, but could mature into a solid player.

      Reply
      • WedgeAnt27

        2 years ago

        He’s got at LEAST 10 more years in him.

        Reply
    • Eatdust666

      2 years ago

      Bret Saberhagen

      Reply
    • jb10000lakes

      2 years ago

      Bar-ry Zi-tooooooo!

      Reply
    • jhomeslice

      2 years ago

      Could be a reunion with Jose Canseco as well, he wore a Sox uniform for a time. And they need a DH. He’s only 56, and has World Series experience. Just sayin.

      Reply
  2. 14yearoldbaseballfanatic

    2 years ago

    No real surprises here with EE and Gonzalez, and the Sox do seem to have a soft spot for Garcia, probably not an everyday player on a contender but a good utility and role guy.

    Reply
  3. Dorothy_Mantooth

    2 years ago

    It may be time for EE to call it a career. He batted under .160 this season and looked awful at the plate. He’s also turning 38 soon and is nowhere in the same realm as the ageless Nelson Cruz.

    Reply
    • dan55

      2 years ago

      I think he’s good enough to get one more shot at being a starting DH.

      Reply
      • RickHahnForPresident

        2 years ago

        SD may need a DH if MLB keeps the DH rule for the NL. You’re welcome to him!

        Reply
        • Gwynning

          2 years ago

          I would take an Edwin/Mitchy Two Bags DH platoon…

      • Priggs89

        2 years ago

        He’s not. He no longer has the bat speed to catch up to even average fastballs, which means he has to guess right and get started early if he wants to connect with one. That leads to him chasing terrible breaking balls when he guesses wrong. He just doesn’t have it anymore, and I don’t see that changing naturally at his age.

        Reply
    • MoRivera 1999

      2 years ago

      Edwin is aging the way normal players do throughout history. The heroics of a couple of recent 40-year olds is…abnormal. It’s also worth noting that 2020 messed with many hitters (and a few pitchers, too). If he can get anyone to bite, maybe EE has a bit of a comeback in him, brief though it’s likely to be.

      Reply
    • ScottCarriere

      2 years ago

      He was usually a slow starter. Shortened season never let hit hit his stride.

      Reply
      • ShieldF123

        2 years ago

        That’s exactly how I feel about his season. He runs hit and cold, and he never had a chance to hit his stride. Low cost flyer could pay out huge here

        Reply
    • Tim_Buck-Two

      2 years ago

      Going back to 2019 playoffs he hasn’t looked himself. I think he should still garner interest on the market of the DH remains in the NL.

      Reply
  4. twins&mlbfan4ever

    2 years ago

    come to mn edwin

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      2 years ago

      Edwin and Cruz on the same team?

      Reply
      • stollcm

        2 years ago

        Cruz is a free agent as of now

        Reply
      • baseballpun

        2 years ago

        They’re adding a 2nd DH in the AL.

        Reply
        • Rangers29

          2 years ago

          The AL is taking away the pitcher completely and using the DH as a BP pitcher to provide more offense.

        • baseballpun

          2 years ago

          Rosters will be expanded to 35. Each team will be allowed to field an offensive and defensive starting 9. The offensive starting 9 will each bat .225 and strike out 27.5% of the time, but hit 32-34 homers a year.

        • Rangers29

          2 years ago

          “The AL will replace the ceremonial first pitch with a ceremonial first home run, and obviously it will count towards the score (the run will be scored by the home team). But to keep the scoring relatively low, since the teams are all DH’s, there will be a way to negate runs from your opponent as well. Each error made will be a run negated. This should keep the average runs per game around 9. Important rule to note: You cannot take away the ceremonial first run from the home team. This gives the home team a distinct advantage because they will always have a 1 run head start on their opponent.” – MLB CBA 2022

        • baseballpun

          2 years ago

          During one of every three innings, at the discretion of the manager, each team will be permitted to start the inning with a runner on third and a 2-0 count for the first batter.

        • Rangers29

          2 years ago

          If a pop up hits the roof of an in-closed stadium, it’s considered a home run.

          When the hitter is on deck, he will get the option of hitting off a tee to warm up before his at bat.

          The only way you can issue an intentional walk is via HBP.

        • Gwynning

          2 years ago

          Balks have also been eliminated… or redefined. Either way, nobody knows.

    • connfyoozed

      2 years ago

      The Twins will field an entire team of DHs. They have calls in to Harold Baines and Julio Franco as we speak. 🙂

      Reply
    • Priggs89

      2 years ago

      Yes, please. Please go to MN, Edwin.

      Sincerely,
      White Sox fans

      Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    Phillies should buy low on Gio as a placeholder until Howard is ready.

    Reply
    • bronyaur

      2 years ago

      That will set the Sox up perfectly to trade for Gio for a third time.

      Reply
  6. Rangers29

    2 years ago

    Odds of Edwin ending his career as a Dodger?

    Reply
    • theroyal19

      2 years ago

      0%

      Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      2 years ago

      Maybe a 2% chance if the NL adopts the DH slot (which they should).

      Reply
  7. AaronSapoznik

    2 years ago

    No surprise here. The White Sox 40-man roster is now at 35 as I post. We’ll all know their final decision regarding QO’s to either James McCann or Alex Colome no later than this Sunday. Most likely neither will receive one despite the wishes of more than a few White Sox fans who wouldn’t mind seeing their return or at least compensation.

    Reply
    • 83sox94win05

      2 years ago

      @Aaron Sapoznik

      “Ditto” is probably the appropriate response from me, since that was pretty much what I was going to post.

      I’m not nearly as disappointed about the LaRussa signing as I was yesterday. I think the initial shock of the signing combined with some of the many idiotic posts that I started reading on here (way too many to read all of them) got me frustrated. I know he was the rumored favorite, but I thought they would at least interview someone else before making the decision. He still wouldn’t have been my first choice, but maybe it will work out after all (I still say with skepticism).

      I did see on CSN Chicago’s website that Bochy was the #2 choice had LaRussa declined. But I thought I saw that Bochy wanted to wait until after COVID-19 passes before managing again.

      I’m curious to see who they pick as pitching coach, and obviously what player moves they make these next several weeks. I’m curious to see if they have the stones to make some more long term deals with their own–especially Giolito. Might not be a bad move to get guys like Madrigal, Cease, and Dunning (and even Vaughn, if they truly are that sold on him) on cheaper long term deals also.

      Looking forward to the next several weeks, now that the shock of the LaRussa signing has passed.

      Reply
      • kdhammond69

        2 years ago

        I was disappointed with the LaRussa hiring too. But then got thinking there has to be some sort of agreement between Reinsdorf and TL that the team will spend to get that last World Series for both of them. They can get the stud pitcher, right fielder and maybe closer they need.

        Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      2 years ago

      No chance of either getting a QO. McCann ought to get a contract in the $7-8M range, Colome about what he was getting. Neither is close to a QO and I wouldn’t want them to get one because they need to spend that money to upgrade RF and the rotation.

      Reply
      • realsox

        2 years ago

        I’d rather see the Sox sign McCann to a 3-year deal, then trade Grandal for a starting pitcher.

        Reply
        • slapshot53

          2 years ago

          Smoke some more crack

  8. No Soup For Yu!

    2 years ago

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that makes Leury Garcia just the third player to have their option picked up so far. Free agency is going to be a rough one.

    Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      2 years ago

      Maybe, but in the White Sox’ case, even if baseball had record revenues, they would have done the same thing. Both EE and Gio struggled mightily, while Leury had a very nice year and fills an important role. Don’t know how Covid has changed other teams’ actions on options, but it’s had no effect for the Sox.

      Reply
  9. Stan Not the Man

    2 years ago

    Lefty Gio will be back somewhere in MLB next year.

    Reply
    • baseballpun

      2 years ago

      Brewers.

      Reply
  10. CavanFuggedYourBichio

    2 years ago

    How does Roark get 2/24 and Gio gets 1/5 with an option?

    Reply
    • Ducky Buckin Fent

      2 years ago

      Agents?

      Reply
      • CavanFuggedYourBichio

        2 years ago

        Gotta be location, He must’ve held out for an extra year to come to toronto ,similar to what happened with Kendys Morales getting a third year back in 2017.

        Reply
  11. WideWorldofSports

    2 years ago

    EE is done, great career but time to hang them up.

    Reply
  12. bighiggy

    2 years ago

    I think Edwin could be a good dh option for the cards if the dh sticks in the nl. Hes better than most of their other options

    Reply
    • fisk72

      2 years ago

      Watched all his ab’s this year. He’s toast.

      Reply
  13. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    2 years ago

    No surprises. I’m interested to see how hard they try to bring back Colome and McCann, though I’d bet both are on new teams next year. Losing them, along with these declined options, would free up payroll to go after Springer and a rotation upgrade.

    Reply
  14. Murphy NFLD

    2 years ago

    As a long time blue jays fan i must say EE was a notoriously slow starter. I truly feel he has some left in the tank. I bet he could still slash 250/350/475 over 400 PA with 20-25 homers.

    Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      2 years ago

      I remember hearing that about him, but the Sox are now contenders. They can’t afford to wait half a season for a veteran slugger to remember how to hit every year.

      Reply
  15. richt

    2 years ago

    I hope Encarnacion catches on somewhere and has a few good seasons left in him. Would be awesome to see him get to 500 bombs. Crazy that he has 424 after (sorta) never being regarded as one of the best 3–4 hitters in the game.

    Reply
    • jhomeslice

      2 years ago

      I mean anything is possible but I can’t see EE having another good year left in him at 38, after hitting .160 and looking horrible all season in 2020. I can’t see any team offering him more than like 1 million plus incentives, but he just flat out did not look good enough to be in the major leagues in 2020. He may just retire, or be forced to.

      Reply
  16. BeeVeeTee

    2 years ago

    The White Sox brining in La Russa is a sign that Hahn is going after a big name free name free agent. I do remember Hahn saying something during this shorten season with getting the green light with spending money this off-season. This is why the White Sox are not picking up Encarnicon’s 2021 option to free up money. In the meantime, Encarnicon’s 2020’s numbers don’t justify his potential 2021 salary while the White Sox can bring up Vaughn where he can play first base to give Abreu a day off to DH.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      2 years ago

      Next season’s spending has absolutely nothing to do with why they aren’t picking up EE’s option. They aren’t picking up his option because he is no longer good, and they have better, cheaper options in-house. Hopefully they’re willing to use the freed up money elsewhere.

      Reply
      • BeeVeeTee

        2 years ago

        Did you read my entire post?

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Keston Hiura Will Not Make Brewers’ Roster

    Cardinals, Miles Mikolas Agree To Two-Year Extension

    Rhys Hoskins Diagnosed With Torn ACL, Will Undergo Surgery

    Jed Lowrie Announces Retirement

    Jose Altuve To Miss About Two Months Due To Thumb Surgery

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll Agree To Eight-Year Deal

    Nationals Sign Keibert Ruiz To Eight-Year Extension

    Rockies Showing Interest In Jurickson Profar

    Andrew Painter Diagnosed With UCL Sprain; Ranger Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness

    Marlins, Jose Iglesias Agree To Minor League Contract

    Recent

    Dodgers Option Michael Grove, Name Ryan Pepiot Fifth Starter

    Dombrowski: Darick Hall Favorite For Majority Of First Base Reps

    Keston Hiura Will Not Make Brewers’ Roster

    Guardians, Daniel Norris Agree To Minor League Deal

    Royals’ Daniel Lynch Likely To Start Season On Injured List With Shoulder Strain

    Esteury Ruiz Will Make Athletics’ Opening Day Roster

    Reds Release Chad Pinder

    Rangers Release Reyes Moronta, Joe McCarthy; Clint Frazier, Yoshi Tsutsugo Will Not Make Club

    Rays Grant Charlie Culberson His Release

    Cardinals, Miles Mikolas Agree To Two-Year Extension

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version